Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Circumvention of the Law.

Síle de Valera

Question:

303 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the law on the use of motor propelled boats is being circumvented by the simple expedient of using power boats to flush duck over guns standing on the shore by persons who are not shooting. [16031/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Under the definitions in section 2 (1) of the Wildlife Act, 1976, "hunt" includes "flushing". Under section 36 of the Act it is an offence to hunt or disturb for the purpose of hunting any protected wild bird by means of such a vessel. Anyone found engaging in such a practice will be prosecuted.